American Idol 11 – Final Judgement Part 1 – Live Blog Recap

It’s about that time of year where we finally get to move on from the endless auditions, Hollywood rounds, and Las Vegas challenges. We’ve seen rare glimpses into some stellar performances so far, and hopefully, tonight we get to really see these contestants up their game. I wanna see some real winners begin to emerge tonight. I know it is early, but I’m really excited to see what these kids cook up.

Tonight, I will be live blogging Final Judgement Part 1 of American Idol Season 11. So, check back often for my quick thoughts on the talent. We have 42 contenders left. Who will rise? Who will sink?

This…is AMERICAN IDOL!

The final judgement is HERE! But first, the last performances start NOW!

OMG! They begin with a little clip to remind us all that the LIVE SHOWS start next week. “Is this your dream? Is this what you really want?” Randy asks a contestant. We now get footage of the judges revealing the Top 24. Tonight, 42 down to 24.

We find out half of the contestants’ fate tonight! Oh. Ok. The contestants are arriving. It’s the biggest day of their lives. For the performances, they contestants pick the song and the instrument. Cut to J.Lo crying from last year’s Green Mile. Aww. It’s OK! Today, each of them will sit in the final judgement seat.

Winery worker Jen Hirshis up first. Come on, girl! In her pre-performance package, we relive her audition and Hollywood week. She is one of the best girls. I hope she continues to wow us. Her “Georgia on My Mind” during Hollywood week was awesome. Tonight, she’s performing “Baby, I Love You” by Aretha Franklin. It was short and definitely not her best. Wait…we FIND OUT NOW if she makes it!! OMG PLEASE!!!

Green Mile Decision: Jen………makes the Top 24!!!

Creighton Fraker is next! He’s the starving artist from New York! Sometimes I like him, other times he rubs me the wrong way. Hollywood week I really loved him, actually. Heh. He was adopted when he was a baby. He has a rock-n-roll thing going on. His birth dad was the lead singer of an ’80s hair metal band He’s singing “NewYork State of Mind” by Billy Joel. It’s short. I wanna see more. It’s good, I guess.

Lauren Gray is the next girl! I don’t like her. She has a good voice, but there’s just something about her. Tonight, she’s singing “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James. Huh! I’m loving the song choices tonight. In that short clip, I dig it! Her vocal tone is great.

Green Mile Decision: Lauren………did NOT make the Top 24!!!!! (She’ll “consider” coming back next year. Heh.)

Next up is Joshua Ledet, preacher’s son. If you recall, he auditioned in Galveston. I’ve noticed my Twitter feed calling him Jacob Lusk 2.0. Not a good thing. He sings “Up to the Mountain” by Patty Griffin (I think). These short clips are hard for my tired brain to think that quickly. He has alot of vocal power.

Back from commercial, next up is Niko Starr. That’s such a crazy awesome name. Lol. I never really felt him as a standout. Tonight isn’t any different. Man, I really wish we got full performances instead of these crazy short clips. Gah! Doesn’t quite help when live blogging.

Green Mile Decision: Niko……..did NOT make the Top 24!!!! He needs more time.

Clayton Farhat is cut. River St. James is cut. Caleb Johnson (who fell apart in his solo performance) is cut.

Elise Testone, 28, is up. This is her final shot at making the show! OMG! She’s nailing “It’s a Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. I freaking love her! She has a great tone, and I love the choices she makes musically.

Welcome back! Reed Grimm is up! You know, dude is growing on me. His quirky charm is warm, which may take him further than just his talent would. His dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 and passed away a year later. Aww. He’s singing Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” on drums. Woo!

Erika Van Pelt is next! She’s one of my faves too. I love her bluesy tone. I just hope they reign in her fashion sense. I want her to win. She’s singing Adele’s “Don’t You Remember.” We get a nice little clip. I’m not sold on the song choice, but hope they put her through.

Two country girls, Baylie Brown and Chelsea Sorrell find out their fate next. Looks like they are splicing them together. We get to see a clip of Chelsea singing “I Told You So” by Randy Travis during Hollywood week.

Green Mile Decision: Chelsea……makes the Top 24!!!!!!!!!!! (and they play some Carrie Underwood)

Baylie is up to find her fate. They remind us that she last auditioned five years ago. Yes, we know. They love to pimp this girl. She’s singing “Here Comes Goodbye” by Rascal Flatts. She looks gorgeous black dress. *Fingers Crossed*

Ugh. Richie Lawson is up next. Can he just disappear? He has a weird vocal quality at times. He was mean to Heejun, so he better get the boot. He’s singing “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash. Ew.

Green Mile Decision: Richie…..does NOT make the Top 24!!! Yes!!!!!!!!!! He’s only 19. He’ll bounce back fine.

Heejun Han is up!!! He’s so adorable. He might not have the best voice of the bunch, but he’s likeable. His final performance is “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel. Oh. I love the double-dipping. “You have a buttery tone,” Jlo tells him. Yup.

The pressure cooker returns, and Jessica Sanchez is up! She really blew me away during the previous Las Vegas rounds. She needs a spot. Her mom is unemployed because of Jessica’s music career. Huh. She’s singing “The Prayer,” most commonly known as a duet between Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. She’s getting a longer segment than most others. Is she the one?!?!? She really lays down some great vocals. LOVE!

For the past two seasons, Colton Dixon has auditioned with his sister. He’s really good actually, and he’s cute–which always helps. He’s total WGWG or with piano. Heh. He’s creative and should go pretty far. He’s singing “Fix You” by Coldplay on piano, and he dedicates it to his sister. Aww. I really like this.

New Yorker Brielle Von Hugel–whose mother made a name for herself during Hollywood week. Yup, she’s the loud mouth mom. She sings “Killing Me Softly” originally by Roberta Flack. She has a nice tone, but I think there are other girls who have the same but who are better. We’ll see. I wasn’t blown away.Also, I think she’s gotten the bitch edit.

Adam Brock, aka Danny Gokey 2.0, is up! I just can’t NOT think of Gokey–whether he’s singing or just talking. Lol. Sure, he’s talented, but how far will he really go? He’s singing “You Don’t Know Me” by Michael Buble. I think. Heh. I wasn’t really impressed. J.lo tells him he was all over the place. It was clumsy for Randy.

Green Mile Decision: Adam………OMG CLIFFHANGER!!!

Well, that’s a wrap. We saw some stellar performances (Jessica) and then some bum notes (Richie). Good stuff!